Episode 1

Pain, pure agonizing pain was all I felt as I watched my destined mate, the one who was supposed to love me forever, the one who had been my best friend for years, take another woman as his mate and Luna. And that other woman was none other than Elaine Wood, the Gamma’s daughter and my best friend. The pack celebrated their union, and I just wanted to run, run away from here and never come back, but I knew it was impossible. I was Azula Rosseltod, the second Beta of Alpha Jace Stronghold, who was supposed to be my destined mate and who had rejected me without a second thought. I remember that day as if it were yesterday, although a year had passed.

Flashback…

Today was my birthday and my twin brother's birthday. Our parents woke us up by entering our room with a cake and singing happy birthday. And yes, I was turning 18 and still sleeping in the same room as my twin brother, Aron Rosseltod. We were the children of the pack Beta Alan Rosseltod and his mate, our mother, Zara Luna. They sang happy birthday to us and left our room after we blew out the candles. My gaze settled on Aron, both of us with challenging looks. We ran to the bathroom in a race to see who would get there first, and as always, I won. I heard his voice complaining that I was cheating as I laughed. I felt especially strange today and very excited. Today I would finally meet my wolf, and maybe I would meet my destined mate. I took a bath and left the bathroom, and Aron entered quickly. I got dressed, laughing at my silly, complaining brother, and ran down the stairs. My mother was in the dining room waiting for me. Her arms hugged me lovingly.

"Happy birthday, Azula. I'm so proud of you. I can't believe you're not my little girl anymore. Soon you'll find a mate, and you'll leave home, and..." My mother seemed about to cry, and I quickly stopped her. "Relax, Mom. We don't even know if my mate lives here in this pack. I'm not going to run away and leave you. Even if I find a mate, I'll still come here. I'll be the second Beta of the future Alpha. I'll still be in the pack, and we'll still see each other for a long time."

"You're right, my baby. I'm sorry. I'm getting sentimental."

"It’s okay, Mommy. I'll always be your baby." I let go of her embrace and kissed her cheek. I walked to the table. My breakfast was already served: pancakes with strawberry jam and fruit, my favorite. My brother arrived, and we ate between laughs. I loved my family. The Moon Goddess had blessed me. I believed I had it all: loving parents, a wonderful brother, friends who loved me. I was the most powerful warrior in the pack, being the next Beta after the Alpha. Nothing could go wrong, or so I thought.

When we finished eating, the doorbell rang. I ran to open it, knowing who it was. When I opened the door, there were my best friends: Elaine, Elliot, and Jace. Elaine and Elliot were the Gamma's children, and Jace was the future Alpha. We had all grown up together for the future that awaited us together. They ran to hug me, singing happy birthday when my brother came out, and they ran to him. We all went out to the backyard and sat down to talk. All of them had had their first shift last year since they were a year older than us. I was sitting on my brother's lap while he hugged me. We were very close. Aron was the example of the man I wanted as a mate: strong, affectionate, sincere, and always true to his word. Elliot was by our side, and on the other side was Jace with Elaine. They had been dating since they were 17 and we were 16. At that time, I had a silly crush on Jace, but I forced myself to forget about him quickly when they fell in love. They were my best friends, and I just wanted them to be happy, and I got used to seeing them together. I was happy for how happy they always looked together. They weren't destined mates, but they had vowed to reject their mates to stay together. She would be his Luna, and in the end, she was.

When it got dark, they left and wished us luck on our first shift. They had said it was horrible pain, and I imagined it. Every bone in your body breaking and resetting itself. It was obvious that the pain would be horrible, but I was the best warrior in the pack. I could endure anything and more if it was to meet my wolf. Our parents had asked that we spend our shifts alone as a family since the pack was usually present for the shifts of all new initiates. As Betas of the pack, their wish was granted. We went out to the clearing where we would have our first shift. We got there, and my heart was pounding in my chest with anticipation. Aron took my hand, giving me strength. When the Moon was at its highest point, the first pain came, and we screamed at the same time. My hand slipped from his, and I fell to the ground. I felt my whole body breaking into a thousand heavy pieces. Screams came from my lips. I felt they weren't mine. I only felt pain. At that moment, I felt that it was the greatest pain I could ever feel in my life. Aron shifted first. He approached me and licked my forehead. I saw him blurry. My body kept convulsing in pain. I felt that hours passed, and I couldn’t shift. The pain intensified. I felt like I was going to pass out when I heard that voice in my head.

"You can do it, Azula. Don't give up. We're almost there. Just a little longer."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Luz, your wolf. Talk to me. The pain will pass soon."

"Luz, that’s a pretty name."

"My mother, the Moon Goddess, gave it to me. She told me that I was born for you, that I would be light in your life."

"That's...very sweet."

I tried to keep talking to her, but the pain intensified. Suddenly I felt as if my whole body was burning in flames. My vision darkened, and when I opened my eyes, my hands were furry paws, quite large for a Beta. My mother and father were looking at me in surprise, tears streaming down their faces.

"We’ve shifted, Azula."

I approached the lake and saw my reflection. My fur was pure white. One of my eyes was black, and the other was gold. Never in my life had I seen a wolf like that.

"It's because you're special. We're special, Azula. You are a sacred wolf, the first in 1,000 years."

Aron’s wolf approached me and licked my face affectionately. I heard him speak in my head.

"Hi, Azula. I'm Aeron, Aron’s wolf."

"Hi, Aeron. I'm Luz, Azula’s wolf."

Family. He said that and began to lick me, and Luz licked him, recognizing each other as family. Our parents came to us and hugged us, crying. My parents looked at me, and I heard their voices in my mind.

"You know, Azula."

"I know, Mother, Father, brother. I am a sacred wolf. My wolf, Luz, has told me."

"We knew it. Your mother had a dream before she got pregnant. The Moon Goddess gave you to them. She told them that among their children would be born the first sacred wolf in a thousand years."

"Nobody can know, Azula. No one can know that you are a sacred wolf."

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